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updated on: 02:48pm, January 8, 2014
The U.S. Navy has confirmed one crewman is dead after a Navy helicopter went down Wednesday while conducting routine training operations off the Virginia Beach coast, approximately 18 miles from Cape Henry.
The U.S. Navy confirms that a MH-53E Sea Dragon is the helicopter involved.
The helicopter was from HM-14 (Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14) at Naval Station Norfolk.
According to Navy spokesman Mike Kafka, five people were on board the helicopter. Four were taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital after being rescued from a life raft.
The Navy announced shortly afterwards that one of the four is confirmed to be dead.
One crewmember is still unaccounted for. Search efforts are ongoing.
The Navy says the helicopter was training with another MH-53E when it had to make an emergency water landing. A life raft was dropped by the other helicopter and a mayday call was made.
NORFOLK
Navy divers have recovered the remains of Lt. Sean Christopher Snyder, the fifth crewmember of a MH-53E Sea Dragon that crashed off the coast of Cape Henry last week.
Divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, operating aboard the Grasp, located the aircraft's cockpit late Monday and used a remotely-operated vehicle to confirm the presence of his remains inside the wreckage, according to a Navy news release.
Salvage operations were suspended late Monday because of deteriorating weather conditions, but resumed recovery efforts Tuesday morning.
Snyder, 39, of Santee, Calif., was the only crewmember who was missing following the crash on Jan. 8.
The Snyder family issued a statement that said, “Sean was a man of honor and a true hero, not only to his country, but also to his wife, children, family, and friends.”
Four other sailors were rescued shortly after the helicopter plunged into the Atlantic Ocean. They were taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Lt. Wesley Van Dorn, 29, a pilot, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Collins, 25, a crew member, died. The other two crewmembers have since been released from the hospital.
A memorial service for the three sailors killed in the crash was being planned for Friday at Norfolk Naval Station.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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